Talia Abrams says her edible landscapes program will be deemed a success “if even one mouth is fed.” (Courtesy of Talia Abrams)

The TeenHeroes column is sponsored by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. To learn more about the foundation’s $36,000 Diller TeenTikkun Olam Awards, visit http://dillerteenawards.org.

(JTA) — Talia Abrams was struck by the irony that some of her neighbors on the Hawaiian island of Kauai could not afford to eat healthy food.

“It was crazy to hear this because we live on the ‘Garden Island’ of Hawaii,” said Abrams, 16.

So two years ago Abrams, who is home-schooled, wrote a bill as an educational assignment that would require the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to appropriate funds to create edible landscapes in public spaces by planting fruit trees and vegetable and herb gardens for public use across the state.

She took the bill to her state representative, Derek Kawakami, who introduced it to the state House of Representatives. Ultimately the bill was defeated in the Hawaii Senate over liability issues, but it attracted support for Abrams not only from Kawakami but also her mayor and state senator. They helped secure $10,000 and permission from Kauai’s Department of Parks and Recreation for Abrams to start a pilot program at a local park in the town of Kilauea. The goal of the program, she said, is to serve as a model for how similar programs could run at the state level.

Abrams said the plans for the garden have already been drawn. In October, adjacent to a baseball field, playground and parking lot, the planting will begin: fruit trees, a hedge of vegetables, a taro patch, and two herb gardens with rosemary, basil, sage and mint. The resultant bounty will be available for everyone, she added.

For Abrams, the program will be deemed a success “if even one mouth is fed.” She also hopes to educate residents about how to garden, what to grow and how to use what they grow.

“You can’t do anything by yourself,” said Abrams, citing her community’s support for the program. “You need all the support you can get.”

JTA caught up with her recently to talk about what makes a hero, the Jewish experience that profoundly moved her and her words of advice to teens on community service.

JTA: What do you think are the important qualities of a hero?

Abrams:Somebody who helps somebody else in any way is a hero.

Can you share with us a meaningful Jewish experience that you’ve had?

I went to a Jewish teen Shabbaton [with the Chabad Teen Network] in New York a few months ago and went to the [Lubavitcher] rebbe’s grave. I asked him for guidance, and afterwards I felt like I was able to have a lot more momentum [with the garden] and he was helping me somehow.

What do you think you want to do when you grow up?

I hope to be a lawyer; if not, then a doctor. But the plan at the moment is a lawyer working with the government to help people.

If you could have lunch or coffee with anyone and tell him or her about your edible landscape, who would it be?

[First lady] Michelle Obama because she impacts a lot of people and would know how to incorporate [the gardens] in other places.What kind of things do you like to do for fun?

I surf, I do gymnastics, I act in shows.

What advice would you give to other teens interested in starting a community service program?

Try and do what you can. Even if you think you might not make an impact, keep trying.

Please tell us about teens who deserve attention by sending an email to teens@jta.org.

Lily Greenberg Call: “Advocacy is not just a Band-Aid to cover and temporarily fix problems in society.” (Courtesy of the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego)

The Teen Heroes column is sponsored by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. To learn more about the foundation’s $36,000 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, visit http://dillerteenawards.org.

(JTA) — Lily Greenberg Call was always passionate about the political process. As a high school freshman, she looked forward to her class on international politics and guerrilla warfare.

Though most of the other students in the class were seniors or boys, Call was unfazed.

But during a heated discussion, someone said, “No one cares about your opinion, Lily, you’re a girl.”

Taken aback, Call, now a senior at the San Diego Jewish Academy, said, “I was shocked because that mentality was not something I was raised with. I had never been told I couldn’t do something because I’m a girl.”

In 2010, she helped found Girls Give Back, a leadership group for teenage girls through Jewish Family Services. As part of the group, Call created an advocacy program that trained girls to impact their communities through advocacy and learn about legislation affecting women and girls, such as the Equal Rights Amendment and the Healthy Media for Youth Act, as well as working to pass it.

For her work with the advocacy program, Call received a Peter Chortek Leadership Award in 2014 from the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego.

“Even though we’ve come a long way, I want to change that there is still gender inequality,” Call said.

In April, she organized a half-day conference on gender equity that attracted 80 teens from 23 San Diego-area high schools. Held at the University of San Diego, the conference educated teens about such topics as human trafficking, pay equity and sexual assault on college campuses. In addition, participants heard from leading experts about current legislation on these issues and lobbied local politicians.

“Advocacy is not just a Band-Aid to cover and temporarily fix problems in society,” said Call, who will be heading to the University of California, Berkeley, in the fall. “It has the potential to make lasting change. Tikkun olam is about being an active citizen and giving back.”

JTA spoke with Call about her special hero, the meaningful trip she took to Israel last summer and what she hopes to do when she grows up.

JTA: What do you think are the important qualities of a hero?

Call: It’s important to listen to other people. It’s important to have a vision, but you have to listen to others [to hear] what they need. It’s not about what you think.

Who is your hero?

I’d have to say my mother. There is no way I would have been the person that I am or have the sense of purpose if it wasn’t for her.

Can you share with us a meaningful Jewish experience that you’ve had?

I went to Israel last summer specifically for advocacy and journalism. Just being there during the war was very meaningful. I also befriended and connected with some Israeli-Arabs that I met at a coexistence seminar; that was also very meaningful.

What’s your favorite Jewish holiday?

Passover. I like the whole idea of rebirth. It’s nice to have a period of taking something out like [leavening] and [having] sacrifice and cleansing.

What do you think you want to do when you grow up?

I want to go into politics. I’m not exactly sure how, but something in the political arena. I’m thinking about getting a degree in humanitarian law.

What advice would you give to other teens interested in advocacy issues?

Don’t be intimidated by adults or other teens. Try not to be afraid by a lack of interest from your peers. Trust your gut. Power through the obstacles and focus on the difference you can make.

Please tell us about teens who deserve attention by sending an email to teens@jta.org.

]]>http://www.jta.org/2015/05/21/life-religion/teen-heroes/san-diego-teen-empowers-girls-to-become-feminist-advocates/feed0N.J. teen creates sports leagues for kids with disabilitieshttp://www.jta.org/2015/05/10/life-religion/teen-heroes/a-new-jersey-teen-creates-sports-leagues-for-kids-with-disabilities
http://www.jta.org/2015/05/10/life-religion/teen-heroes/a-new-jersey-teen-creates-sports-leagues-for-kids-with-disabilities#commentsSun, 10 May 2015 18:48:44 +0000http://www.jta.org/?p=1003529Zach Certner’s athletics program for special-needs children grew into a nonprofit with programming five nights a week.]]>

Zach Certner: “Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when you give them that trophy at the end of the year keeps me motivated.” (Courtesy of Zach Certner)

The Teen Heroes column is sponsored by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. To learn more about the foundation’s $36,000 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, visit http://dillerteenawards.org.

(JTA)— Zach Certner was 9 when he recognized the despair of a family friend who was excluded from participating in the sports activities that Certner enjoyed so much.

Mikey had a developmental disability, Certner said, “and I saw the struggles that he experienced by not doing what we could do or play on the same teams.”

Certner and his older brother, Matt, decided to organize bimonthly soccer, basketball and baseball clinics in their hometown of Morristown, New Jersey, for children with special needs and match the children with peer mentors.

“We wanted to give kids like [Mikey] a chance to be kids,” said Certner, now 19.

What began in 2006 as a group of 10 special-needs children and 15 mentors has grown into the nonprofit SNAP (Special Needs Athletic Programs). The organization runs sports clinics, yoga, art, music, Taekwondo and tutoring five nights a week for 150 special-needs children with 450 mentors in multiple New Jersey cities.

SNAP teaches the children more than just sports skills, said Certner.

“[They] have confidence, are able to succeed, foster friendships and really feel comfortable with who they are,” he said. “It’s so powerful for everybody involved.”

Currently a freshman majoring in computer science at Duke University, Certner was awarded a Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award in 2014 for his work with SNAP.

Recently he has taught special-needs awareness and sensitivity training to students at schools across eight states. Certner is also developing an online course to train teen mentors.

“Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when you give them that trophy at the end of the year keeps me motivated,” he said. “Knowing that we’re making a difference makes me feel good about what we’re doing.”

Certner spoke to JTA about the qualities he thinks are important in a hero, the inspirational educator he’d like to meet and his advice to other teens interested in starting a community service program.

JTA: What do you think are the important qualities of a hero?

Certner:I think the biggest thing is a drive to make a difference, big or small, a willingness to put yourself out there and a desire to give back and help.

Who is your hero?

My mom. She’s always been there for me and always has my back. She instilled in me a desire to give back to others at a young age. I can never thank her enough for that. It’s been an integral part of my life.

Can you share with us a meaningful Jewish experience that you’ve had?

There are 25 kids who [started working] at SNAP as a bar mitzvah project but haven’t stopped. It’s really cool to see a program that inspires kids to give back even when they don’t have to.

If you could have lunch or coffee with anyone and tell them about SNAP, who would it be?

Probably Temple Grandin [an advocate for animal rights and people with autism]. She is really inspirational. I’d like to talk to her about SNAP and her life experiences. I think it would be a great experience for both of us.

What kind of things do you like to do for fun?

I’m huge into basketball. I’m a big golfer. I hang out with my friends and watch movies.

What advice would you give to other teens interested in starting a community service program?

Go for it! Ask people for help and don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable. No matter how big or small, if [your program] makes a difference in even one person’s life, you should do it.

Please tell us about teens who deserve attention by sending an email to teens@jta.org.

]]>http://www.jta.org/2015/05/10/life-religion/teen-heroes/a-new-jersey-teen-creates-sports-leagues-for-kids-with-disabilities/feed0N.Y. teen advances research on the cancer she survivedhttp://www.jta.org/2015/04/30/life-religion/teen-heroes/teen-advances-research-on-the-cancer-she-survived
http://www.jta.org/2015/04/30/life-religion/teen-heroes/teen-advances-research-on-the-cancer-she-survived#commentsThu, 30 Apr 2015 21:01:08 +0000http://www.jta.org/?p=1001290“Who better than a patient with this specific disease?” asked Elana Simon, explaining why she chose to research a rare form of liver cancer.]]>

The Teen Heroes column is sponsored by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. To learn more about the foundation’s $36,000 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, visit http://dillerteenawards.org.

(JTA) — At 12 years old, Elana Simon was diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare form of liver cancer that largely affects adolescents and young adults.

“I didn’t know much about [fibrolamellar] and it was pretty scary,” said Simon, now 19. “But I was extremely fortunate to have an incredible surgeon.”

After having her tumor removed, Simon, who grew up in New York, where her family remains active members of Temple Shaaray Tefila on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, has been “totally fine ever since.” Currently a freshman at Harvard University, Simon is majoring in computer science.

During her sophomore year of high school, while interning at a lab working on cancer research, she had the idea to genetically sequence fibrolamellar.

Simon sought the advice of her former surgeon, Dr. Michael LaQuaglia, chief of the pediatric surgical service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and learned that due to the rarity of the disease, not much research had been done.

“Just because no one had done this before didn’t mean it couldn’t be done,” Simon said. “And as someone who had this type of cancer, who better than a patient with a specific interest in this disease?”

Her father, Sandy, a biophysicist, made space in his lab at Rockefeller University, and Simon set about collecting tumor samples from other fibrolamellar patients and survivors.

Fifteen samples were ultimately sequenced by a team at the New York Genome Center. Back at the Rockefeller lab, Simon and her collaborators discovered that all the samples shared the same genetic mutation.

“We were lucky that we found something weird and different,” Simon said of the discovery. While additional research is still needed, she said, interest in the disease has piqued and could lead to improved diagnostic testing and drug treatments.

In February, Simon co-authored a study, published in Science magazine, about the discovered genetic mutation.

Of the research, she said, “I kept asking why. I was willing to ask questions, and we were able to try something different and it was successful.”

JTA spoke recently to Simon about her heroes, her favorite Jewish food and what she hopes to do professionally in a few years.

JTA: What do you think are the important qualities of a hero?

Simon: I think it’s important for a hero to be both brave and determined. A hero needs to care about something, and be bold and willing to work towards their goal.

Who are your heroes?

My father and my surgeon. They are the smartest people I know and dedicate their lives to helping others unconditionally. They are humble and work as hard as they can.

Can you share with us a meaningful Jewish experience that you’ve had?

A meaningful Jewish experience for me was my involvement with Camp Simcha. This is a Jewish camp for young cancer survivors and patients, and it was one of the most fun and uplifting places I’ve ever been to. It was beautiful to see how much joy and hope everyone had, and to see how much strength people derived from their religion.

Do you have a favorite Jewish food?

I do have an addiction to egg challah.

What kind of things do you like to do for fun?

I like performing. I sing, dance and act, do theater and acrobatics. I play with my dog and hang out with my friends.

What do you think you want to do professionally in a few years?

I’m not sure, but I am definitely interested in studying computer science. It’s a powerful tool. Whether it’s doing research using computer science to study diseases or whatever I do, I want to help people.

Please tell us about teens who deserve attention by sending an email to teens@jta.org.

]]>http://www.jta.org/2015/04/30/life-religion/teen-heroes/teen-advances-research-on-the-cancer-she-survived/feed0Paige Alenick sinks her teeth into dental hygiene drivehttp://www.jta.org/2015/04/16/life-religion/teen-heroes/paige-alenick-protects-overseas-needy-from-tooth-decay
http://www.jta.org/2015/04/16/life-religion/teen-heroes/paige-alenick-protects-overseas-needy-from-tooth-decay#commentsThu, 16 Apr 2015 15:38:34 +0000http://www.jta.org/?p=993651By collecting and distributing more than 153,000 toothbrushes, this teen is giving people in developing countries a healthy smile.]]>

Paige Alenick says that “for some people, a toothbrush is a luxury item.” (Courtesy of Paige Alenick)

The Teen Heroes column is sponsored by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. To learn more about the foundation’s $36,000 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, visit http://dillerteenawards.org.

(JTA) — With the simple act of brushing her teeth one evening, Paige Alenick was inspired to think about those less fortunate than herself.

“I realized how lucky I was to be brushing my teeth and that you can’t take things for granted,” said Alenick, who was then a 15-year-old high school student at Pascack Hills High School in Montvale, New Jersey. “And for some people a toothbrush is a luxury item.”

She decided to reach out to Ron Lamb, a dentist who runs the World Dental Relief, an organization that sends dental health professionals on missions around the world to provide care and supplies where little is available.

Alenick learned that there was a tremendous need for toothbrushes.

“You don’t even need toothpaste,” she said. “Just a toothbrush and water gets out most of the bacteria and food particles that cause tooth decay.”

After setting up a website for her project, Donate a Toothbrush, Alenick embarked on a letter-writing campaign to dentists nationwide, toothbrush manufacturers, friends and family asking for toothbrushes. In the four years since she began Donate a Toothbrush, Alenick has collected more than 153,000 toothbrushes.

In addition to providing the World Dental Relief missions with the toothbrushes, she has also donated them to victims of Hurricane Sandy as well as women’s shelters in New York and New Jersey.

Now a 19-year-old sophomore studying applied psychology at New York University, Alenick was awarded a Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award in 2014 for her work with Donate a Toothbrush.

She has no plans to stop collecting toothbrushes, either. With her organization recently granted 501(c)3 status, Alenick is hoping to raise enough money to be able to ship the toothbrushes overseas directly to the places where they are needed most.

“I was brought up doing a lot of tikkun olam and knowing the value of community service,” she said. “It makes me really happy to help others maintain better oral health. Donating a toothbrush is so small and simple and easy, but can make such a big impact.”

Alenick spoke recently to JTA about her hero, the latest page-turner that she read and her advise for other community service-minded teens.

JTA: What do you think are the important qualities of a hero?

Alenick: A hero is someone who is compassionate and cares about others. They are selfless and brave.

Who is your hero?

My sister Ashley has been my partner in every community service project that I’ve done. She is really inspirational and I look up to her.

Can you share with us a meaningful Jewish experience that you’ve had so far?

At the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards weekend, we put different Jewish values out on a table, which made us think about our projects. It was a really wonderful way to connect with the [other winners]. I also had the honor of meeting Helen Diller. It was one of the most meaningful weekends of my life, and a very humbling and wonderful experience.

What’s the latest book that you read for pleasure?

“Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult. It was good, definitely a page-turner.

What sort of things do you like to do for fun?

Music is very important to me. I play piano and I sing in a choir. I also like to hang out with my friends in New York.

What advice would you give to other teens interested in starting a community service project?

Try it. No matter how crazy the idea, always give it a try. You never know where it could lead.

Please tell us about teens who deserve attention by sending an email to teens@jta.org.

]]>http://www.jta.org/2015/04/16/life-religion/teen-heroes/paige-alenick-protects-overseas-needy-from-tooth-decay/feed0Val Weisler’s ‘Validation Project’ empowers bullied teenshttp://www.jta.org/2015/03/19/life-religion/teen-heroes/val-weislers-validation-project-empowers-teens
http://www.jta.org/2015/03/19/life-religion/teen-heroes/val-weislers-validation-project-empowers-teens#commentsThu, 19 Mar 2015 16:09:46 +0000http://www.jta.org/?p=972266Val Weisler started a website that connects teens with mentors to learn skills that can be applied to community service and their careers.]]>

Val Weisler: “The more I reached out, the more confidence I had to be a happy person.” (Courtesy of Val Weisler)

The Teen Heroes column is sponsored by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. To learn more about the foundation’s $36,000 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, visit http://dillerteenawards.org.

(JTA) — For Val Weisler freshman year of high school was marred by tears and unhappiness as classmates bullied her daily for being shy and withdrawn.

“I was a different person and I didn’t feel comfortable,” said Weisler, now a 16-year-old junior at Clarkstown High School South in West Nyack, N.Y. “I was hiding myself and hating myself. I didn’t feel welcomed.”

She soon realized, however, that “there were so many other teenagers who had bigger problems than me.”

Weisler set about to create a community of support for teens experiencing bullying. In January 2013, with money that she had saved from babysitting, she launched a website, The Validation Project. The site encourages teens to become “Validators” by matching them with a mentor to learn a set of specific skills that can then be applied to local community service. In addition, the teens can work with others in the project’s network to spread positive messages through social media or brainstorm together to develop and implement social action campaigns. To date, Weisler said there are more than 5,550 teenagers and 2,000 mentors with chapters in all 50 states and in 100 countries involved with the project. They have also raised a collective $25,000 in goods and services for people in need, she added.

Future plans for The Validation Project, Weisler said, include organizing an international conference for teens to do community service together and expanding the organization to reach out to teens in low-income communities.

But perhaps one of the biggest benefits of The Validation Project was the personal impact that it had on Weisler. By directing her energies on the Project, she was able to overcome her own experience with bullying.

“The more I reached out [to others], the more confidence I had to be a happy person,” Weisler said. “It saved me and I got out of my shell. It took awhile, but if not for [The Validation Project], I would still be that shy girl in the hallway.”

For her work on The Validation Project, last year she won the National Jefferson Award for Peace and Justice from the Jefferson Awards Foundation, an organization that recognizes individuals of all ages engaged in outstanding public service.

“My age is anything but a disadvantage,” said Weisler. “If you want to help others, embrace who you are, don’t change who you are to make a difference.”

JTA recently spoke to her about what makes a hero, her personal role model and the latest book she read for pleasure.

What do you think are the important qualities of a hero?

Belief in yourself and confidence, for sure. The ability to not just make a difference but to be a leader. You have to be able to bring up others and also have a little fun.

Can you share with us a meaningful Jewish experience that you’ve had?

I’ve had so many with [United Synagogue Youth]. Recently, I was at USY’s International Convention in Atlanta and we went to entertain kids from low-income families to tell them the Hanukkah story. To be able to see Judaism experienced through a little kid’s eye, to teach these kids and to be there with my Jewish peers was a very meaningful experience.

If you could have lunch or coffee with anyone and tell them about The Validation Project, who would it be?

Ellen DeGeneres. She is my absolute role model. She is really inspiring. Just to say “thank you” to her would be a amazing.

What do you think you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a broadcast journalist and go to places where people aren’t reporting the news. My dream is to be an undercover news reporter for “Good Morning America” or “The Today Show.”

What’s the latest book you’ve read for pleasure?

I just finished reading “The Promise of a Pencil” by Adam Braun. I get to meet him in April and talk about The Validation Project.

What kind of things do you like to do for fun?

I like to dance, though I’m very bad at it. I hang out with my dog, and I go to the kosher deli with my friend, Liz.

Please tell us about teens who deserve attention by sending an email to teens@jta.org.

]]>http://www.jta.org/2015/03/19/life-religion/teen-heroes/val-weislers-validation-project-empowers-teens/feed0Zoe Butchen uses Taylor Swift song to fight Parkinson’shttp://www.jta.org/2015/03/12/life-religion/teen-heroes/zoe-butchen-uses-taylor-swift-song-to-fight-parkinsons
http://www.jta.org/2015/03/12/life-religion/teen-heroes/zoe-butchen-uses-taylor-swift-song-to-fight-parkinsons#commentsThu, 12 Mar 2015 16:29:51 +0000http://www.jta.org/?p=96912514-year-old Zoe Butchen has raised over $50,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research with the help of a hit song.]]>

Zoe Butchen with her dad, Jeff. (Courtesy of Zoe Butchen)

The Teen Heroes column is sponsored by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. To learn more about the foundation’s $36,000 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, visit http://dillerteenawards.org.

(JTA) — Zoe Butchen didn’t know much about Parkinson’s disease the night her dad, Jeff, told her and her brother at their kitchen table of his recent diagnosis of the disorder.

“I didn’t know what it was or what it meant,” said Butchen, 14. “But I thought that there had to be some way that I could get involved.”

Inspired by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge – and the Taylor Swift song “Shake it Off” — she decided to post a video to social media of herself dancing to the hit song while challenging others to do the same in the hope of raising money for Parkinson’s research.

Last October, with the support of her family, Butchen, a freshman at Ridgefield High School in Connecticut, launched a website through which donors could give to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Noting the common Parkinson’s symptom of a shaking tremor, Butchen said the Swift song made “just a perfect connection” with her cause and named her viral fundraising campaign Dance/Shake/Donate.

While she doesn’t know the exact number of people who have posted “Shake it Off” videos online, Butchen said she has seen approximately 30 videos, and the campaign has raised over $50,000. There is no end date planned, she added, but her goal is to raise $100,000.

BBYO recently threw its support behind Butchen’s campaign. She spoke in February at the youth movement’s International Convention in Atlanta, and she was named the teen chair of Marathon Madness, a philanthropic initiative that brings Jewish teens together from around the world to support causes that they care about. Butchen said her own BBYO chapter raised $1,500 for Dance/Shake/Donate from their Marathon Madness event held earlier this month.

“[Dance/Shake/Donate] taught me that you need to stand up for what you connect with personally,” she said. “And that I need to be confident and advocate for the things that affect me and my family.”

Butchen spoke to JTA about what qualities she thinks are important in a hero, the advice she’d give to other teens interested in launching a fundraising campaign and the not-so-surprising famous performer whom she’d like to tell about Dance/Shake/Donate.

JTA: What do you think are the important qualities of a hero?

Butchen:Heroes are people who dedicate their time and effort to a cause that they are passionate about. They have a goal and work towards it and have courage to achieve those goals. They need to be mindful of others and accepting of their ideas.

Can you share with us a meaningful Jewish experience that you’ve had?

When I was 8 years old, I went to Israel with my family. It was the most incredible trip. On the day we were leaving, [we were] outside the Western Wall and I started crying because I didn’t want to go. I felt so connected.

What do you think you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a teacher. I have my mind set on first grade. I like working with younger kids.

What advice would you give to other teens interested in starting a fundraising campaign?

Contact an adult first. They have the best advice and experience. Be true to your idea. Don’t be afraid to fail. At some point it will go far; just run with it.

What sort of things do you like to do for fun?

I am a huge dancer. I dance every day of the week: ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, pointe – I love them all. I am involved with the National Charity League doing community service around my town; I really like that. I also collect and donate dance costumes for plays, musicals, recitals to underprivileged kids and organizations in the tristate area.

If you could have lunch or coffee with anyone and tell him or her about Dance/Shake/Donate, who would it be?

I would probably pick Taylor Swift. I wish I had the opportunity to tell her about [Dance/Shake/Donate]. And not just because it’s her song, but because she’s such a genuine person and gives back to so many causes.

Please tell us about teens who deserve attention by sending an email to teens@jta.org.

]]>http://www.jta.org/2015/03/12/life-religion/teen-heroes/zoe-butchen-uses-taylor-swift-song-to-fight-parkinsons/feed0Yaniv Sadka gets teens involved in the fight against cancerhttp://www.jta.org/2015/03/05/life-religion/teen-heroes/yaniv-sadka-gets-teens-involved-in-the-fight-against-cancer
http://www.jta.org/2015/03/05/life-religion/teen-heroes/yaniv-sadka-gets-teens-involved-in-the-fight-against-cancer#commentsThu, 05 Mar 2015 17:37:33 +0000http://www.jta.org/?p=966784As a Los Angeles high school student, Yaniv Sadka started Teens Curing Cancer, a club that has raised $12,000 so far.]]>

Yaniv Sadka: “I wanted Teens Curing Cancer to be something that high school kids could be proud of, and I wanted to be able to help people.” (Courtesy of The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards)

The Teen Heroes column is sponsored by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. To learn more about the foundation’s $36,000 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, visit http://dillerteenawards.org.

Yaniv Sadka met many kids while coaching his Los Angeles youth lacrosse league. But during the summer of 2011, one 13-year-old boy stood out.

“Benny became like my third brother,” said Sadka, 19. “We would do brotherly things like joke around, wrestle, go for ice cream. We really bonded that summer.”

By the end of the summer, however, Benny was diagnosed with lymphoma, and would succumb to the disease a year later.

Consumed with sadness, Sadka decided to volunteer at local cancer organizations but soon felt frustrated by the limits of the experience.

“I didn’t want to sit [in their offices] doing clerical work; I felt I could have more of an impact,” he said. “Just because I was a teenager, I thought there was no reason that I couldn’t run my own fundraisers.”

During the fall of 2012, as a junior at Beverly Hills High School, Sadka recruited a few classmates to launch a new school club, Teens Curing Cancer. The following year nearby Windward School formed another Teens Curing Cancer club.

The goal of the clubs, said Sadka, was to provide unique ways for teens to volunteer by encouraging them to run their own fundraising events as well as educating them about pediatric cancers.

Nearly 2,000 students from both schools participating in the efforts of five fundraising events, said Sadka, and Teens Curing Cancer has raised $12,000 so far. The events range from selling sandwiches and competitive classroom fundraising drives to an art-and-jazz show with a silent auction at a nearby gallery.

“Students really identified with [the idea] that if you are lucky enough to not be ill, it is like winning a genetic lottery,” Sadka said.

Recently granted nonprofit status, Teens Curing Cancer will use the funds it has raised so far to purchase a much-needed piece of lab equipment for a yet-to-be-determined pediatric cancer research center in either California or Wisconsin, Sadka said.

For his work with Teens Curing Cancer, Sadka was awarded the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award in 2014. Currently a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he is studying biomedical engineering and working to expand Teens Curing Cancer clubs to additional Los Angeles-area high schools.

“I was told that I was too young to start a nonprofit, but I was able to take it this far, and it really took off,” said Sadka. “I wanted Teens Curing Cancer to be something that high school kids could be proud of, and I wanted to be able to help people.”

JTA caught up with him to talk about his heroes, his meaningful connection to the Jewish community and the advice he gave to the high school students now running Teens Curing Cancer clubs.

What do you think are the important qualities of a hero?

What is special about a hero is that they make unselfishness a priority and take the time to give back.

Who is your hero?

My family: Both my parents are immigrants from the Middle East. They didn’t come to the U.S. with much. I have so much respect for them because they worked very hard to give my brothers and me the best lives possible. I hope to be able to do that for my children.

What’s your favorite Jewish holiday?

I have a special liking for Yom Kippur. The symbolism behind the fasting and being able to have a day to think about the good and the bad of the previous year is special.

Can you share with us a meaningful Jewish experience that you’ve had?

Just being a part of the [Jewish] community is meaningful. The bond, the open arms of Jewish organizations, is like no other and is part of the uniqueness of the community.

What sort of things do you like to do for fun?

I play lacrosse. I like to read about finance, banking and the stock market. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, and I like trying new food.

What advice did you give to the students who now run the Teens Curing Cancer clubs at their high schools?

I told them that everyone has a different point of view, but do what you think is right. Collaborate with others and get as many teens involved as possible.

Please tell us about teens who deserve attention by sending an email to teens@jta.org.

]]>http://www.jta.org/2015/03/05/life-religion/teen-heroes/yaniv-sadka-gets-teens-involved-in-the-fight-against-cancer/feed0Noah Levinson raises money, awareness for troubled teenshttp://www.jta.org/2015/02/26/life-religion/teen-heroes/noah-levinson-raises-money-awareness-for-troubled-teens-2
http://www.jta.org/2015/02/26/life-religion/teen-heroes/noah-levinson-raises-money-awareness-for-troubled-teens-2#commentsThu, 26 Feb 2015 16:48:42 +0000http://www.jta.org/?p=964123The Teen Heroes column is sponsored by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. To learn more about the foundation’s $36,000 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, visit http://dillerteenawards.org. WASHINGTON (JTA) —After taking a class on Jewish ethics at his synagogue, 17-year-old Noah Levinson was left wondering about the future of those less fortunate than himself. “We are...]]>

Noah Levinson combines his passions for music and tikkun olam. (Courtesy of Noah Levinson)

The Teen Heroes column is sponsored by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. To learn more about the foundation’s $36,000 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, visit http://dillerteenawards.org.

WASHINGTON (JTA) —After taking a class on Jewish ethics at his synagogue, 17-year-old Noah Levinson was left wondering about the future of those less fortunate than himself.

“We are told that today’s youth are the leaders of tomorrow,” said Levinson, adding, “How can teenagers experiencing homelessness, poverty, foster care or abuse mature into compassionate, responsible adult leaders?”

Levinson, who started his own DJ and entertainment business while in seventh grade, decided to create a nightclub experience for teens that would not only be fun and have a great sound, but would also raise awareness and funds for nonprofit organizations that help troubled youth.

“I realized I could use my passion for music to make the world a better place,” said Levinson, a senior at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego.

At a local community center, on the evening after Halloween, he held his second annual Hallow Project event. With over 400 teens in attendance from 14 San Diego-area high schools, Levinson charged $15 a ticket ($20 at the door) and donated 100 percent of his profits — $1,600 — to Just in Time for Foster Youth, an organization that helps individuals in foster care transition to self-sufficiency and independence.

Before the event, Levinson met with representatives from Just in Time, who were able to provide staff to serve as security and helped him find sponsors to offset the costs for food, decorations, sound and lighting equipment, and space rental.

In between the music sets by the four DJs at the event, Levinson shared information and statistics about foster youth provided by Just in Time. He also thanked the teens for supporting the cause and stressed that “[Hallow] is by teens, for teens benefiting other teens.”

For his work with the Hallow Project, Levinson was recently awarded the Peter Chortek Leadership Award from the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego. In addition to a $3,600 prize, the foundation gave him an additional $1,800 to donate to a charity of his choice, which Levinson plans to put toward the third annual Hallow event.

But soon he will hand over responsibility for planning next fall’s event to a sophomore or junior, as Levinson will be heading to New York University to study music business and entrepreneurship.

“I was always passionate about music but also tikkun olam,” he said. “It felt great to be able to connect my passion for music with my wish to repair the world.”

Levinson recently spoke to JTA about the famous musician who inspires him, the Hebrew songs he finds most meaningful and the advice he’d give to his Hallow Project successors.

JTA: What do you think are the important qualities of a hero?

Levinson:A hero is someone who goes and does something that puts other people before themselves. A hero must be willing to take risks for the benefit of others.

If you could have lunch or coffee with anyone and tell him or her about the Hallow Project, who would it be?

Neil Young is super inspiring because he has the same ideas that I do for using music to benefit others and make the world a better place. He’s a huge source of inspiration for me, and he might give me some pointers or ideas [on planning nonprofit music events and festivals].

What kind of things do you like to do for fun?

In the summer, I surf. In the winter, I snowboard. I like to make music and hang out with friends and go to USY events.

Do you play any musical instruments?

Music is a big part of my life. I’ve taken guitar lessons since the fourth grade, and I dabble on the piano.

What Jewish music is particularly meaningful to you?

“The Hope” by Rick Recht and the Hebrew song “Acheinu.” The first time I heard [“Acheinu”], I was in Poland on USY Pilgrimage. It really touched my heart, and I thought it was the most beautiful song that I’d ever heard.

What advice would you give to the teens that will be taking over the planning of the Hallow Project?

You can be really scared, but take that leap of faith and a deep breath, and know that it’s going to be OK.

Please tell us about teens who deserve attention by sending an email to teens@jta.org.

]]>http://www.jta.org/2015/02/26/life-religion/teen-heroes/noah-levinson-raises-money-awareness-for-troubled-teens-2/feed0Gabriella Cooperman chips in with Cookies for Charityhttp://www.jta.org/2015/02/19/life-religion/gabriella-cooperman-chips-in-with-cookies-for-charity
http://www.jta.org/2015/02/19/life-religion/gabriella-cooperman-chips-in-with-cookies-for-charity#commentsThu, 19 Feb 2015 17:45:19 +0000http://www.jta.org/?p=961480The Illinois high school freshman’s event to help special needs kids get equestrian therapy has brought in more than $47,000 over nine years.]]>

Gabriella Cooperman, left, with a girl whose therapeutic horseback riding she has sponsored at Equestrian Connection for the last four years. (Courtesy of Gabriella Cooperman)

The Teen Heroes column is sponsored by the Helen Diller Family Foundation. To learn more about the foundation’s $36,000 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, visit http://dillerteenawards.org.

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Gabriella Cooperman was 5 years old when she witnessed the difference that therapeutic horseback riding made for Danielle, her younger sister with special developmental needs.

“I saw how wonderful and magical horseback riding therapy could be,” said Cooperman, now 14. “So when I heard that there were kids who needed the therapy but couldn’t afford it, I knew I wanted to help.”

With her mother’s assistance, the 5-year-old decided to set up a lemonade stand at an intersection near her Highland Park, Ill., home to raise the $500 necessary to send a young girl to a one-week therapeutic riding camp at Equestrian Connection, the riding center and stable where Cooperman’s sister also received her therapy.

But Cooperman quickly realized that just selling lemonade might not be enough to meet her goal, so she decided to include some homemade cookies, too.

Nine years later, Cookies for Charity is a yearly, weekend-long fundraising event that has raised more than $47,000 for Equestrian Connection.

“Every year I’ve doubled my fundraising goal and it’s become an annual tradition in the neighborhood,” Cooperman said. “People come to socialize, and even our mayor comes out as well.”

Typically scheduled for the weekend after school starts, she recruits about 30 of her friends to help sell lemonade, water bottles and two kinds of homemade cookies: a nut-free sugar cookie and a signature Heath Bar Crunch chocolate chip cookie. At last August’s Cookies for Charity event, Cooperman said they stopped counting after selling 6,000 cookies and 1,000 glasses of lemonade.

The planning (and baking) starts months in advance, she said. Cooperman has secured 24 corporate sponsors who support the event by providing many of the essentials. Companies like Kraft Food, Arm & Hammer, Argo and Domino Sugar have donated gallons of lemonade, water bottles and the pounds of ingredients needed for baking the cookies. Local businesses have provided equipment for storing the cookies, lunch for the volunteers, marketing material and the supplies for building and running the stand.

Even the Chicago Bears have thrown their support behind the event, donating a signed football that Cooperman auctions off during the weekend.

Cooperman, a freshman at Highland Park High School, said she will continue to plan a Cookies for Charity event every year through the remainder of her high school years. After she graduates, she hopes to pass on the fundraiser to someone else to run.

“The biggest lessons that I have learned from Cookies for Charity is that working hard is the greatest award ever and it’s a great feeling to help others,” Cooperman said. “I hope that I am inspiring other youth to support the idea of tikkun olam and making another person’s life better.”

JTA spoke to her about heroes who bake, the meaningful Jewish experience that she continues today and her Broadway theatrical aspirations.

JTA: What do you think are the important qualities of a hero?

Cooperman: I think a hero is someone who puts themselves after other people in need.

Who is your hero?

My mom: She puts me and my sister before her activities. And she bakes everything, all of our meals — even challah dough — from scratch.

Can you share with us a meaningful Jewish experience that you’ve had?

At my bat mitzvah, I was the first female on both sides of my family to read from the Torah. Reading from the Torah is important to me, still even after my bat mitzvah, and I read it at teen minyans for USY.

What kind of things do you like to do for fun?

I love acting and chorus and I perform in musical theater through my school. I am very active in my USY chapter, which I love so much. Being Jewish is very important to me. I also enjoy doing arts and crafts, hanging out with my friends and playing with my sister is a very important part of my life.

What would be your dream role to play on Broadway?

Ella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” is one of my favorite roles.

What advice would you give to other teens interested in starting a fundraising event?

Don’t be afraid. Who cares what people say. If you’re doing a good thing for the world, other people will thank you.

Please tell us about teens who deserve attention by sending an email to teens@jta.org.